Hydrant housing



Nov. 22, 1966 P. v. METCALFE 3,287,077

HYDRANT HOUSING Filed Feb. 28, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l9 43 63 l5 /6 K, f

31 25 INVENTOR.

47 26/ PAUL MMETCALFE BY F/6'.3 Q

ATTORNEY Nov. 22, 1966 P, v. METCALFE HYDRANT HOUSING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Filed Feb. 28, 1966 I l l I r v FIG.4

FIG.6

INVENTOR. PAUL V. METCALFE 6?- 5a\ ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,287,077 HYDRANT HOUSING Paul V. Metcalfe, 1681 Essex Road, Columbus, Ohio Filed Feb. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 534,580 13 Claims. (Cl. 312-217) This application is in part a continuation of an application, Serial No. 347,774 filed February 27, 1964, now abandoned, by the applicant herein, Paul V. Metcalfe, and co-pending herewith.

The invention disclosed and claimed in this application relates to metal cabinets and more particularly to metal cabinets which constitute houses for hydrants and hydrant accessories, Heretofore, cabinets have often been provided and used for the storage of accessories for hydrants (that is, for the storage of such accessories as hoses, hose nozzles, connectors, fire axes, crowbars, hose straps, play pipes, spanners, wrenches, ladder straps, etc.). These cabinets are usually positioned adjacent to the hydrant for which the accessories are to be used. Such an arrangement requires the removal of the accessories from the cabinet for use, but more importantly, the removal of the hose from the cabinet and the attachment of the hose to the hydrant or to the fire plug before the water from the fire plug can be used in the restraining and elimination of any fire which might be involved.

Wooden hydrant houses have been suggested which would necessitate considerable on-the-job construction and also are diflicult to remove and transport to another site.

Objects One of the objects of my invention therefore is an improved cabinet for housing hydrant accessories and hydrants.

A further object of my invention is the provision of such a metal cabinet for containing and protecting a fire hose which is already attached to a hydrant.

A further object is the provision of such a metal cabinet which is easy to remove for servicing of the hydrant and easy to install inasmuch as such installation does not require either a concrete base or tools.

A further object is the provision of such metal cabinet which can be quickly opened at top and front so that there may be easy access to the interior of the cabinet and to the hydrant and hose and accessories.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a cabinet which is effective to protect fire hose and other hydrant accessories from vermin and other pests and from moisture and excess heat.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a well ventilated, weatherproof, substantially maintenance free, hydrant house having a maximum security.

Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, illustrating several embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation of a metallic hydrant cabinet having the doors opened, showing housed therein a fire hydrant, and also showing stored therein various hydrant accessories;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section taken substantially-on the line 22 of FIG. 1, being shown on a considerably largerscale than the scale of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in vertical section of a I portion of the cabinet of FIG. 1, shown on a considerably larger scale than the scales of FIGS. 1 and 2 and showing details of the floor of the cabinet and the cooperation of the cabinet with the fire hydrant; and

FIGURE 4 is a view in front elevation similar to FIG- "ice URE 1, but showing a second embodiment of my invention in which similar parts are, designated by the same numerals with the addition of 100;

FIGURE 5 is a view in side elevation of the cabinet of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical section 2 taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 4 and illustrates the method by which the sliding roof or top is held in place; and i FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view in'front elevation on a reduced scale showing the doors closed.

Detailed description Referring still to the drawings for a more detailed description of the embodiment of the invention illustrated, I have shown in FIG. 1 a cabinet 11 having a bottom 12, ends or side walls 13 and 14, a top 15, and a back 16. As shown more clearly in dotted lines in FIG. 2, the bottom 12 is formed with a square opening 17. Over this opening 17 there are fitted a pair of separate bottom plates 21 and 22 each formed with a semi-circular cutout portion such as the cutout portions 23 and 24, respectively. The plates 21 and 22 overlap each other as at 25 and as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cutout portions 23 and 24 closely embrace the lower cylindrical portion 26 of a fire hydrant 27 just below the flange 28. The bottom 12 is provided with a pair of angle irons 31 and 32 which are secured to the bottom for stiffening and strength. Hinged to the ends or side walls 13 and 14 at the front of the cabinet are a pair of doors 18 and 19 respectively.

The doors 18 and 19 are secured to the ends or side walls 13 and 14 respectively by hinges such as the hinges 33 and 34 and are provided with a locking device such as that shown at 38.

Louvers are provided as indicated at 41, 42, 43 and 44 in the ends or side walls 13 and 14 respectively. Louvers may also (if desired) be provided in the rear wall 16.

The cabinet 11 constituting the hydrant house, is designed to be placed on :blocks such .as the blocks 45 and 46 which are placed on the turf 47, The cabinet 11 is placed over a fire plug as the fire plug 27 with the plug extending upward through the square opening 17 in the floor 12 of the cabinet. Thereupon the plates 21 and 22 are moved into position in which they substantially seal the opening and contact closely with the contour of the hydrant or fire plug 27 at the cylindrical portions 26 of the hydrant 27 and below the flang 28. The plates 21 and 22 are secured to the floor 12 by an epoxy resin. This insures that the plates may not be inadvertently removed and that the cabinet becomes substantially sealed against vermin and other pests for the housing of the hydrant and for the protection of any accessories thereof.

Within the cabinet 11 I have shown the fire hydrant 27. This fire hydrant is provided with a lower cylindrical portion 26 and with an annular flange 28. It is also provided with a pair of nozzles 51 and 52, and their caps such as the cap 53. Positioned on the bottom 12 of the hydrant house 11 are hoses 54 and 55. Sometimes these are hoses of difierent diameters. For example, the hose 54 may be 1 /2" and the hose 55 may be 2 /2". Hoses 54 and 55 may both be 2 /2" or otherwise depending on the desires of the users. The hose 55 is shown attached to the nozzle 52 and there is provided with the hose 55 a playpipe 56 and with the hose 54 a playpipe 57. Either or both of the hoses 54 or 55 may, if desired, be attached to an appropriate nozzle, or both may be stacked on the bottom unattached. As shown, the hose 54 is rolled while the hose 55 is shown in layers. However, either or both may be rolled, or either or both may be in layers. On the back 16 of the hydrant house I have provided hangers 61 and 62 for an axe 63 and hangers 64 and 65 for a playpipe holder 66. Hangers such as 67 and 68 are secured to the doors 18 and 19 for the orderly storage and support of various hydrant accessories such as hose straps, spanners, ladder straps, wrenches, etc.

' The hydrant house design shown provides space for all desired equipment to be used in a hydrant house and most of the equipment has specific brackets mounted in the hydrant house for easy access. Hose is shown and room for hose is provided. Roll 55 is shown attached to one of the 2 /2" nozzles and several hoses are attached together so that any amount of footage may be laid on top of one another so that the firemen can reach in and withdraw the playpipe and proceed to they fire- There is sufiicient room to house about any quantity of needed hose up to a maximum of 500 feet. The 1%" hose 54 may be stacked on the other side of the cabinet along with an additional playpipe, etc. The amount of equipment contained in a hydrant house does vary depending upon the geographic area in which it is to be used and 7 on the specific hazards of the users. The aspect of the life of the hose has been given extreme consideration in the construction of my hydrant house. Each of the sides have four ventilation louvers with one vented louver at each corner with three vents. These are weatherproofed. The four vented louvers are to release heat that would be built up or be contained, and also to give ventilation through the cabinet so that the hose will not deteriorate. The hydrant house has a steel floor. I suggest that the hydrant house be raised approximately four to six inches off the ground for air to circulate underneath so that dampness will not be drawn to the hose. I feel that the aspect oftthe steel floor is better than a concrete floor for many reasons. Concrete floors draw moisture which is undesirable. The concrete floor is poured around the hydrant and therefore if at any time in the future maintenance is needed, the cabinet would have to be removed which is often inconvenient. If the hydrant would break at the bottom, the entire concrete pad must be broken up and removed before the hydrant could be taken out. In my hydrant house, because of the steel floor, it is easy to remove the entire cabinet from the hydrant, for extensive hydrant maintenance or if at a future date the hydrant needs to be moved there is practically no cost involved in moving the hydrant house. My hydrant house provides maximum security from farm or field pests which have the habit of eating and destroying hose. Due to the steel floor there is the square cut 17 as indicated in the drawings, and this is reinforced underneath with steel channeling 31 and 32. I provide two steel panels which have basically half-moon cut-out portions 23 and 24.

Assume the hydrant 27 is already installed. Actual installation procedure for the cabinet 11 would be to provide four blocks such as 45 and 46, one at each corner, to level the house 11 and to provide support and to raise it from the ground for circulation of air. After this is done, the hydrant house 11 is merely lifted over and placed on top of the hydrant 27. Then the doors 18 and 19'are opened and the two steel panels 21 and 22 are slid in up around the barrel of the hydrant to see that they seal. A tube of epoxy is provided. This tube contains a strong bonding binding of reclaimed rubber base adhesive which is waterproof. After determining that the panels fit properly, they are raised and the tube is opened and the resin is squirted on the steel floor. The panels overlap the steel floor and therefore aid in the support. After the epoxy is spread on the floor, the panels are placed down over the top of the floor and pressure is given so as to spread out the epoxy. The following day the epoxy will adhere the steel panels rigidly to the floor and the sealed panels can only be moved by the use of some tools such as a screw driver. Therefore there has been an installation with no tools necessary. The holes do not necessarily have to line up. Even if the hydrant was off dead center of the cabinet two or three inches, the panels still overlap. If the cabinet needs to be removed for hydrant maintenance or relocation it merely means prying the panels up and removing the house from around the hydrant. Thereafter the cabinet can be reinstalled by the use of another tube of epoxy.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 4, S, 6 and 7,

21 and 22 of FIGURE 1 and operative in the same way. The doors 118 and 119 are secured to the ends or side I walls 113 and 114 by hinges similar to hinges 33 and 34 shown in FIGURE 2, and the door 118 is provided with a locking device 138. The cabinet 111 is placed over a fire plug 127 and is sealed in place by the plates 121 and 122 as explained in connection with the embodiment of FIGURES l, 2 and 3.

While equipment such the the equipment shown in FIGURE 1 may be placed in the hydrant house 111 and the house is designed to house such equipment, yet the equipment is not shown in FIGURE 4 in order that. the.

essential features thereof may be seen more clearly.

is. pivotally secured to the door 118. It consists of a pivoted lever 169 having links 170 and 170 secured to its opposite ends and extending respectively upward and downward.

The ends or sides 113 and 114 adjacent to the top there.

of are bent out to form flanges 171 and 172. The top 115 fits slidingly over the flanges 171 and 172 and may on occasion be removed from the house by being pushed upward and rearward. The top 115 is formed at its rear with a flange 173 which limits its forward downward movement and thus normally positions it correctly. The top or roof 115 adjacent its sides is bent into U shaped flanges 171 and 172 to house the flanges 171 and 172 and to weatherproof the hydrant house. The locking. device 138 (pivotally secured to the door 118) is provided with a handle 174. This handle 174 has an oppositely extending extension 175 which is bent at right angles to form an end portion 176. An angle member 177 is secured to the door 119. Aligned holes are formed in end portion 176 and member 177. A lock 181 secures the end 176 of the handle 174 to the member 177 and thus not only locks the doors 118 and 119 together but secures the doors 118 and 119 closed by the locking device 138. The upper end 182 of the link 170 -of the locking device 138 enters behind the downward front flange 183 of the top or. roof 115 and thus secures the top locked against sliding rearwardly. The flange 173 prevents it from sliding forward. The top isthus secured to the house. The lower end 184 of the link 170 of the locking device 138 enters into a hole 185 formed in the bottom 112 and cooperates with the upper end 182 ofthe link 170 to secure the door 118 closed, and inasmuch as the door 118 overlaps the door 119, this also secures the door 119 closed.

However, should an emergency arise requiring the use of the hydrant 127 and the other emergency equipment,

thelock 181 is opened, the doors 118 and 119 are flung apart and with a vigorous push the top 115 is shoved up and back and away so that the whole interior is instantly available for use.

The above description is of the preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is to be understood that these embodiments arefor the purpose of illustration only and various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An assembled hydrantaccessory house for placing over a previously installed hydrant and for housing said hydrant and accessories comprising:

a metal bottom formed with an opening;

a metal back; I I

a metal top;

metal ends; and

a plurality of separate bottom plates having semi-circular cut-out portions laid over the opening in the bottom and closing said opening except for the complementary semi-circular cut-out portions which fit closely around the sides of the hydrant when the house is placed over the hydrant with the upper part of the hydrant extending up into the house through the opening in the bottom of the house.

2. A11 assembled hydrant accessory house according to claim 1 in which the opening in the bottom is rectangular, and one of the separate bottom plates overlaps the other.

3. The structure of claim 1 in which the metal bottom is formed with a rectangular opening.

4. The structure of claim 1 in which the bottom plates overlap each other.

5. The structure of claim 1 in which the bottom plates are secured to the bottom.

6. The structure of claim 5 in which the bottom plates are secured to the bottom by a plastic resin.

7. The structure of claim 1 in which there also is provided a pair of hinged metallic doors normally closing the front of said house.

8. The structure of claim 1 in which the house is supported on blocks above the earth.

9. The structure of claim 2 in which the bottom plates are secured to the bottom.

10. The structure of claim 9 in which the bottom plates are secured to the bottom by a plastic epoxy resin.

11. The structure of claim 2 in which there are also provided a pair of hinged metallic doors normally closing the front of said house;

in which the upper ends of the ends are formed with outwardly extending flanges;

in which the metal top is slidably secured over the outwardly extending flanges of the ends; and

in which unitary means are provided for securing the doors to each other, for locking the doors against opening by reason of engagement with the top and bottom and for preventing the sliding removal of said top by reason of engagement of said locking means with the top.

12. The structure of claim 11 in which the unitary securing and locking means comprises:

a pivoted lever secured on the side of one of said doors;

links secured to the ends of said lever and having their opposite ends movable into locking relationship with said top and bottom;

a handle secured to said lever; and

means comprising a lock :Eor securing one end of said handle to the other door.

13. An assembled hydrant accessory house comprising:

a metal bottom formed with a vertical hole;

a metal back;

a ririietal top formed with a downwardly extending front ange;

a pair of metal ends each formed with an outwardly ex tending flange on which the top is slidably mounted;

a pair of front doors each hingedly secured to one of said ends;

a locking device comprising a lever pivotally mounted on the inside of one of said doors and a pair of links, each secured to opposite ends of said lever and the lower link having its lower end movable into the hole in said metal bottom and the upper link cooperating with the downward front flange of the top to lock the top against sliding movement; and

means comprising a handle for said locking device for rotating said lever, moving saidlinks, and thus securing said doors in closed position and securing said top from being slidably removed from said house.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,216,335 10/1940 Ashton 292-40 3,010,775 11/ 1961 Giovannelli 3122l7 3,183,714 5/1965 Fisher 73-273 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. F. DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,287,077 November 22, 1966 Paul v. Metcalfe It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 41, for "as" read such as column 3, line 71-, for, "tools" read tool column 4, line 19, for "the the" read H as the column 6, line 5, for "side" read inside Signed and sealed this 24th day of October 1967 (SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. AN ASSEMBLED HYDRANT ACCESSORY HOUSE FOR PLACING OVER A PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED HYDRANT AND FOR HOUSING SAID HYDRANT AND ACCESSORIES COMPRISING: A METAL BOTTOM FORMED WITH AN OPENING; METAL BACK; A METAL TOP; METAL ENDS; AND A PLURALITY OF SEPARATE BOTTOM PLATES HAVING SEMI-CIRCULAR CUT-OUT PORTIONS LAID OVER THE OPENING IN THE BOTTOM AND CLOSING SAID OPENING EXCEPT FOR THE COMPLEMENTARY SEMI-CIRCULAR CUT-OUT PORTIONS WHICH FIT CLOSELY AROUND THE SIDES OF THE HYDRANT WHEN THE HOUSE IS PLACED OVER THE HYDRANT WITH THE UPPER PART OF THE HYDRANT EXTENDING UP INTO THE HOUSE THROUGH THE OPENING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE HOUSE. 